India high court refuses to halt ban on Rs 500, 1000 currency notes News
India high court refuses to halt ban on Rs 500, 1000 currency notes

[JURIST] The Indian Supreme Court [official website] declined Tuesday to stay the demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes initiated by the government. However, the court requested [TOI report] that the government file an affidavit detailing the steps taken to ease inconvenience to the public, particularly long lines at banks and ATMs. The request for a stay came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi [official website] announced that these high denomination bills will no longer be legal tender as of midnight on November 9, declaring a “decisive war” against corruption and black money.

Anti-corruption efforts are ongoing worldwide. Last week former Chinese Deputy Minister, Zhang Liju, was sentenced [JURIST report] to four years in prison after having been convicted of taking 2.4 million yuan ($354000.58 USD) in bribes. Earlier this month the High Court of South Africa on Wednesday ordered [JURIST report] the release of a report on corruption allegations against President Jacob Zuma. Also in November, former Argentinian president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner [BBC backgrounder] went before a judge [JURIST report] for questioning as part of the investigation into her alleged corruption for granting public works contracts.